Local News

New report reveals UK's happiest places to be a dog

Exeter comes 9th in Dogs Trust's Happy Place Index, but we all have room for improvement

For dogs, a happy place can be somewhere physical, like cuddling up next to their owner on the sofa, dozing by the fire or rolling around in a muddy puddle. But it can also be a feeling, like the excitement of a new toy, the comfort of being with their favourite humans, or the relief of just being somewhere safe.

To examine the various factors that contribute to a dog's satisfaction, an academic has developed a new formula – the Canine Happiness Score (CHS).

The new scoring system...

Seagull eats baby pigeon alive

Shoppers watched in horror as a seagull devoured a baby pigeon ALIVE in Exeter city centre.

The stricken young bird was targeted by a lone gull which slowly pecked its prey to death.

Beacon Heath resident William Corden, who witnessed the attack, said some people ran away because the scene was so disturbing.

“I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing,” he said.

“The baby pigeon couldn’t fly and the seagull homed in on it.

“At first I just thought it was some sort of fight but then it became clear that the seagull was eating the poor pigeon alive....

Can you help Exeter Hospiscare?

Authored by Hospiscare
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 5:08pm

The local charity, which cares for hundreds of terminally ill patients in Exeter, is launching a new volunteering role in the city after a successful pilot project in Honiton.

Volunteers, called care navigators, regularly visit patients at home and provide a link between the patient, their carer, Hospiscare’s team and the wider health and social care system.

Pat Northcott loves her new role as a Hospiscare care navigator. Once a week she spends an afternoon with Ken and Ann Kittow at their Honiton home. “It's satisfying helping other people,” says Pat. “It's a real pleasure...

D&C Police praised for fairness by HMIC

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 12:30pm

Devon and Cornwall Police has been rated ‘Good’ in a new report by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary looking at the legitimacy of the Force.

HMIC judged the culture of the Force and how it reflected engagement with Devon and Cornwall’s communities while also complying with legislation around areas such as taser use and stop and search powers.

The HMIC graded the Force as ‘Good’ across all areas meaning it believes the Force has the consent of the public while staff consistently behave fairly, ethically and within the law. Gaining the trust and co-operation of the...

Turf cutting marks start of Bridge Road widening scheme

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 12:23pm

Devon County Council’s £13.45 million scheme will develop two continuous outbound lanes from Countess Wear to the Matford roundabout on one of the busiest routes into the city.

In preparation for the start of work, a turf cutting will be held at the Canal Bridges at 10.30am on Monday 15 February, when site offices and material storage areas will be established.

The 14-month scheme will commence in the last week of February with utility diversion work at the Glasshouse Lane junction and the east side of Countess Wear Bridge.

From mid-March a contraflow system will be...

Diabetes discoveries could lead to new treatments

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 12:21pm

Children who are diagnosed with diabetes before the age of seven develop a more aggressive form of the disease than that seen in teenagers, new research has revealed.

A team led by the University of Exeter Medical School has found for the first time that, while children aged six or under are left with very few insulin-producing beta cells in their pancreas when diagnosed, those with onset of symptomatic type 1 diabetes as teenagers still retain large numbers of these cells. The discovery could lead to new approaches for treatment of the disease.

The team worked with the...

Barratt teams up with RSPB in Exeter

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 10:48am

A unique partnership between the UK’s best known homebuilder and the RSPB promises to see more wildlife-friendly housing developments being built in the area, giving nature a new home.

Barratt Homes has signed an agreement - the first of its kind in the UK – with the RSPB to boost natural habitats at its developments in Exeter using updated landscaping and new guidance.

As the country’s urban wildlife struggles, with 60% of plants and animals facing decline, it is hoped that this agreement between the major homebuilder and conservation charity will help boost biodiversity...

Taste of the West takes up the challenge for CHSW

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 10:20am

Exeter based Taste of the West, the South West’s regional food group, has signed up for Children’s Hospice South West’s £50 challenge in a double celebration of not only its own anniversary, but also 25 years of the charity.

Emma Grainger, Hospitality Awards Co-ordinator at Taste of the West, said: "The fact that 2016 marks the 25th Anniversary of both Taste of the West and Children’s Hospice South West, it seemed to make perfect sense to adopt them as our charity of the year.

"The £50 Challenge is just one of a series of fundraising initiatives that we hope to do this year...

Devon tech cluster grows

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 10:10am

Tech City UK, the UK government backed organisation tasked to accelerate the growth of digital businesses, and innovation charity Nesta, today launch the Tech Nation 2016 report in partnership with core data partner, GrowthIntel.

The most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s Digital Tech Economy, Tech Nation 2016 finds that it has a strong impact on employment nationwide and is creating highly paid job opportunities, accounting for 1.56 million jobs across the UK. Tech Nation 2016 demonstrates the growth of the Exeter & Newton Abbot cluster, with the turnover of digital tech...

Have you seen missing Neil Mackenzie?

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/11/2016 - 10:01am

Neil Mackenzie has been found safe and well this morning (12 February) in Bristol. We would like to thank the public for their help in this matter.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Police are trying to find a missing 52-year-old man last seen in Bristol.

Neil Mackenzie (pictured) was last seen in the Stapleton area of Bristol at around 10am today, Thursday 11 February, and he spoke to a relative by phone shortly after.

Police are concerned for Neil's welfare and would like to find him as soon as possible.

He may be using public transport and heading...

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